Legal Definitions - request for instructions

A request for instructions is a written request made by a party during a trial, asking the court to instruct the jury on the law as set forth in the request. This is also known as a request to charge. The abbreviation for request for instructions is RFI.

During a trial, the defense attorney may submit a request for instructions to the judge, asking the judge to instruct the jury on the legal definition of "reasonable doubt."

Another example is when a plaintiff's attorney submits a request for instructions to the judge, asking the judge to instruct the jury on the elements of negligence in a personal injury case.

These examples illustrate how a request for instructions is a formal way for a party to ask the court to provide guidance to the jury on the applicable law in a case. This helps ensure that the jury understands the legal standards they must apply when making their decision.